Room for Debate | New York Timeshttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate
A Running Commentary on the News – The New York TimesCopyright 2015 The New York Times Companyfeedback@nytimes.com (New York Times)Sun, 02 Aug 2015 17:20:39 -0400The Next 50 Years for Medicare and Medicaidhttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/07/30/the-next-50-years-for-medicare-and-medicaid
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/07/30/the-next-50-years-for-medicare-and-medicaid

The 50th anniversary this week of the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid comes in the middle of a presidential campaign in which candidates have raised questions about the fiscal viability of the programs.

Will Medicare and Medicaid be sustainable for another 50 years?

The 50th anniversary this week of the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid comes in the middle of a presidential campaign in which candidates have raised questions about the fiscal viability of the programs.

China's economy is, by one measure, bigger than that of the United States. As the "China Factor" series in The Times makes clear, its global ambitions and power are enormous. But by per capita income it isn't in the top 100 countries, as many as 200 million Chinese may live below international standards of poverty, and the sickening plunge in its stock market indicates that its gains may be fragile.

So does it deserve the benefits of being classified as as a "developing" country, which provides it with trade and fiscal relief and allows it to avoid tougher carbon emission standards?

China's economy is, by one measure, bigger than that of the United States. As the "China Factor" series in The Times makes clear, its global ambitions and power are enormous. But by per capita income it isn't in the top 100 countries, as many as 200 million Chinese may live below international standards of poverty, and the sickening plunge in its stock market indicates that its gains may be fragile.

So does it deserve the benefits of being classified as as a "developing" country, which provides it with trade and fiscal relief and allows it to avoid tougher carbon emission standards?

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Twenty-five years later, beyond mandated changes in the built environment, has the A.D.A. really made a difference in providing the disabled with equal opportunity and access? What more needs to be done?

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Twenty-five years later, beyond mandated changes in the built environment, has the A.D.A. really made a difference in providing the disabled with equal opportunity and access? What more needs to be done?

As ships crest the horizon, they sail into a realm that can be beyond the reach of law. As a recent series of articles in The Times, "The Outlaw Ocean," has begun to document, crime, even murder, can be committed with impunity. Workers can be treated as slaves. Environmental depredation can go unchecked.

What can be done to bring law and order to the high seas?

As ships crest the horizon, they sail into a realm that can be beyond the reach of law. As a recent series of articles in The Times, "The Outlaw Ocean," has begun to document, crime, even murder, can be committed with impunity. Workers can be treated as slaves. Environmental depredation can go unchecked.

Silicon Valley has "a greater capacity to change the world than the kings and presidents of even a hundred years ago," one wealthy Facebook beneficiary supposedly told a tech conference last year. Many tech luminaries think they are "doing God’s work." But are the innovations coming out of the Bay area really creating a new and better world, or just making lots of money for a few people?

Silicon Valley has "a greater capacity to change the world than the kings and presidents of even a hundred years ago," one wealthy Facebook beneficiary supposedly told a tech conference last year. Many tech luminaries think they are "doing God’s work." But are the innovations coming out of the Bay area really creating a new and better world, or just making lots of money for a few people?

Citing worsening congestion in Manhattan, New York City Council — with the support of Mayor Bill de Blasio — has proposed capping the number of cars that for-hire companies like Uber and Lyft can have on the road until a traffic study can be completed in about a year. The number of official taxicabs has long been limited to reduce traffic. But the for-hire car services say this move would devastate their business and limit access to on-demand cars in the outer boroughs.

Is this a fair and useful experiment?

Citing worsening congestion in Manhattan, New York City Council — with the support of Mayor Bill de Blasio — has proposed capping the number of cars that for-hire companies like Uber and Lyft can have on the road until a traffic study can be completed in about a year. The number of official taxicabs has long been limited to reduce traffic. But the for-hire car services say this move would devastate their business and limit access to on-demand cars in the outer boroughs.

It's no surprise that as nearly three-quarters of U.S. teens have access to a smartphone, many say they are online "almost constantly." Some worry that this could be negatively affecting their physical and mental health.

Though Internet addiction is not yet a clinical diagnosis in the U.S., the American Psychiatric Association included "Internet Gaming Disorder" in the appendix of a 2013 update to their diagnostic manual to prompt further research. Other countries, including China and South Korea, already treat excessive Internet use among teenagers through counseling and boot-camp-style treatment centers.

Is screen addiction, or screen obsession, a concern for teenagers?

It's no surprise that as nearly three-quarters of U.S. teens have access to a smartphone, many say they are online "almost constantly." Some worry that this could be negatively affecting their physical and mental health.

Though Internet addiction is not yet a clinical diagnosis in the U.S., the American Psychiatric Association included "Internet Gaming Disorder" in the appendix of a 2013 update to their diagnostic manual to prompt further research. Other countries, including China and South Korea, already treat excessive Internet use among teenagers through counseling and boot-camp-style treatment centers.

For many teachers, this presents a conundrum in how the fictional character is taught in classrooms. How will the new book affect or change the way "To Kill a Mockingbird" is taught in middle and high school English classes?

For many teachers, this presents a conundrum in how the fictional character is taught in classrooms. How will the new book affect or change the way "To Kill a Mockingbird" is taught in middle and high school English classes?